Health Minister Jillian Skinner today officially opened the BreastScreen NSW screening centre at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital.

The purpose-built centre gives women access to an enhanced screening service while offering extended hours to cater for those women who work.

It is expected more than 5000 women will be screened in the first year of operation – a 40 per cent increase on the capacity of the former BreastScreen NSW site in Hornsby.

“One in nine women in NSW will develop breast cancer in their lifetime,” said Mrs Skinner, who was joined at the opening by Member for Hornsby Matt Kean.

“And we know that these women have a strong chance of survival if the cancer is detected early.

“I encourage all women aged over 50 to undergo a screening mammogram every two years. A 30-minute appointment every two years can give you peace of mind,” Mrs Skinner said.

The new screening centre is located in the former Lindsay Madew Unit at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, which underwent a $4 million renovation.

“This new service has the great advantage of being on a hospital campus, where it is co-located with breast cancer specialists and nursing staff for those clients who need additional care,” Mrs Skinner said.

“This is a very exciting time for Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital campus, which is a key priority of the NSW Liberal & Nationals Government. Last year we opened the $33.5 million Mental Health Unit and now the $120 million redevelopment is underway.”

Mr Kean said he is proud of the NSW Government’s commitment to enhancing frontline health services in his community.

“The Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital campus is being transformed, not just through the major redevelopment project but through the enhancement of vital services, such as this BreastScreen NSW centre,” Mr Kean said.

Mrs Skinner and Mr Kean thanked the Hornsby, Ku-ring-gai and St Ives Lions Clubs for donating almost $100,000 to equip the surgical unit of the new centre with a biopsy specimen unit and a positioning chair.